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In depth I  Communication

Since the beginning of the Choike portal, we have covered the issues related to communication, media and information and communication technologies (ICTs), particularly following the process around the World Summit for the Information Society (WSIS) that began in 2003 and ended in 2005. Civil society organizations have been involved in the whole process trying to bring to the agenda issues such as the digital divide between the North and the South, internet governance, the impact of intellectual property rights and the right to freedom of expression, among others. To support well informed decision-making during the summit and beyond from a civil society perspective, Choike developed the project WSIS papers that offers a collection of research papers and briefing papers that were then compiled in the book Information Society for the South: Vision or Hallucination, 2005. Together with the Association for Progressive Communications (APC), the Third World Institute (ITeM) also developed the Global Information Society Watch project that consists of a series of yearly reports covering the state of the information society from the perspectives of civil society and stakeholders in the global South. In addition, you will find below a collection of in-depth reports on other issues including media diversity, the right to communicate, cybercrime and human rights, access to knowledge, intellectual property rights, Telecentres and much more. Also find below a directory of organizations working on the issue, campaigns and news. Information Society for the South: Vision or Hallucination See an on-line version of the book available for download by chapters or order a hard copy sending an email to wsis2@item.org.uy. Global Information Society Watch See the web site of the project featuring the Global Information Society Watch 2007 report - the first in a series of annual reports- that looks at state of the field of information and communication technology (ICT) policy at local and global levels and particularly how policy impacts on the lives of people living in developing countries. Versión en español print    send   correct  ADD YOUR COMMENT >>       Correct  ADD YOUR COMMENT >>  World Summit on the Information Society - WSIS  Media diversity  Internet governance  E-strategies  Telecentres  ICTs and MDGs  Rural access to ICTs  ICTs in Africa  Universal Access Funds  Cybercrime  Trade agreements and ICTs  Access to Knowledge (A2K)  Cultural diversity  The right to communicate  Patents  Other useful information    World Summit on the Information Society - WSIS World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) process This report explains in a clear manner the information on the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), a conference organized by the United Nations with the aim to develop a global framework to tackle the challenges posed by the information society. Find key background information and documents on the preparatory meetings and regional consultations, ICT global policies, country reports and follow up of the two main conferences in Geneva 2003 and Tunis 2005 from the perspective of civil society.    Media diversity Media diversity under threat Find here an analysis of concentration of media property by large corporations and the obstacle that it poses to freedom of expression.    Internet governance Internet governance An in-depth look at one of the central issues in the UN World Summit on the Information Society: a more democratic and equitable management of global Internet resources.    E-strategies E-strategies How to introduce the issue of information society within national agendas? This report looks into national strategies at a country level and the need for multistakeholder work frameworks including civil society and the private sector.    Telecentres Telecentres An overview of the telecentre phenomenon - particularly in the South - and its possible contribution to bridging the digital divide.    ICTs and MDGs ICTD within the framework of the MDGs Would the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) be better achieved through information and communication technologie (ICTs)? How do they fit into Southern development agendas? This report presents a collection of research studies and experiences at the country level.    Rural access to ICTs Rural access to ICTs The report argues in favour of the need to develop a rural ICT access model that combines community-owned ICT enterprises with wireless technologies to create more empowering and sustainable initiatives.    ICTs in Africa The challenge of developing ICTs in Africa Despite progress in expanding the reach of ICT services and applications in African countries, the majority of the population still does not have access to telephone service, computers and the Internet. This report discusses new emerging policies in the continent and the obstacles that they face in their implementation.    Universal Access Funds Universal Access Funds Universal access funds have seen a phenomenal expansion in recent years as a consequence of success. They are a promising experience to enable communication services in rural and/or isolated regions.    Cybercrime "Cybercrime" and human rights Attempts to adopt an international definition of "cybercrime" have resulted in the introduction of proposals to increase surveillance on global communications.    Trade agreements and ICTs WTO trade agreements and ICTs The liberalization of the telecommunications, pushed by trade agreements, has promoted the role of the private sector, hindering the access to communication and information as a fundamental human right.    Access to Knowledge (A2K) Access to knowledge In an increasingly technology-driven world, the standard of protection provided by intellectual property (IP) rules is affecting development policies, human rights and other public-interest goals more than ever.    Cultural diversity UNESCO Convention on Cultural Diversity The Unesco Convention adopted in 2005 sets out common rules, principles and points of reference for cultural diversity at global level. Unfortunately, many of the most crucial issues such as the importance of media pluralism or the concept of information as a global public good were left un-discussed at the UNESCO Convention.    The right to communicate The right to communicate The right to communication remains a part of all freedom struggles for greater dialogue, pluralism, tolerance, and participation - and against all forms of authoritarian, exclusive, and excluding power, be it religious, aristocratic, male, State- or market-controlled.    Patents Software: Patents and copyrights When ICTs are being consolidated as a means to share knowledge and information, limiting access to these technologies is seen by many as a violation of fundamental rights.    Other useful information Related News Civil society organizations from the South International NGOs and networks

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